tremble

1 of 2

verb

trem·​ble ˈtrem-bəl 

trembled; trembling ˈtrem-b(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to shake involuntarily (as with fear or cold) : shiver

2

: to move, sound, pass, or come to pass as if shaken or tremulous

the building trembled from the blast

3

: to be affected with great fear or anxiety

trembled for the safety of her child

trembler

ˈtrem-b(ə-)lər 

noun

tremble

2 of 2

noun

1

: an act or instance of trembling

especially : a fit or spell of involuntary shaking or quivering

2

trembles plural in form but singular in construction : severe poisoning of livestock and especially cattle by a toxic alcohol present in a snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) and rayless goldenrod that is characterized especially by muscular tremors, weakness, and constipation

Synonyms

Noun

• quiver
• shiver
• shudder

Examples of tremble in a Sentence

Verb

His arms and legs began to tremble.

My voice trembled as I began to speak.

I opened the letter with trembling hands.

The house trembled as the big truck drove by.

Noun

with a tremble, she ventured out into the snow

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Even before stepping into the White House again, Trump’s plans have the Federal Reserve trembling. —Peter Green, Quartz, 9 Nov. 2024

At a rally in North Carolina last week, Trump mentioned Obama getting back on the trail and made his voice tremble in fake terror before dismissing him. —Alex Thompson, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024

Noun

Valeria leaves guard duties to Ellen, a grandmother with a constant tremble in her hands from her MS. —James Grebey, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024

Kaleena knew her fate before it was announced, teary-eyed and emotional as Kish, with a tremble in her voice, asked her and Alisha to pack their knives and go. —Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French trembler, from Medieval Latin tremulare, from Latin tremulus tremulous, from tremere to tremble; akin to Greek tremein to tremble

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tremble

1 of 2 verb

trem·​ble ˈtrem-bəl 

trembled; trembling -b(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to shake uncontrollably (as with fear or cold) : shiver

2

: to move, sound, or happen as if shaken

the building trembled from the blast

my voice trembled

3

: to have strong fear or doubt

I tremble to think what might happen

trembler

-b(ə-)lər 

noun

tremble

2 of 2 noun

1

: a fit or spell of uncontrollable shaking or quivering

2

: a tremor or series of tremors